Mecca
Mecca is a girl's name of Arabic origin.
Meaning
The holiest city in Islam; spiritual center.
Origin and history
Mecca is a feminine given name derived from the holy city of Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and the goal of the Hajj pilgrimage. In English, the term is also used metaphorically to mean a central place or hub for a particular interest. In the United States, it has been steadily used as a given name since the late 20th century.
Popularity in the United States
2,288 babies in the United States have been named Mecca since 1880. It ranks #3681 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1823.
States where it is most popular
- NY (32.1 %)
- NJ (22.3 %)
- PA (20.4 %)
- CA (12.1 %)
- GA (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 68 |
| 1970-1980 | 317 |
| 1980-1990 | 300 |
| 1990-2000 | 640 |
| 2000-2010 | 413 |
| 2010-2019 | 267 |
| 2020-2029 | 278 |
Fun facts
- The name directly honors the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the direction toward which Muslims pray worldwide.
- Beyond its religious significance, 'mecca' is used in English as a noun meaning a center of activity or interest.